Laois Pride Week forced to cancel some events

The organisers of Laois Pride Week have announced the cancellation of some of their events.

While the biggest events, a parade through Portlaoise, family fun day and Laois Pride After Party with renowned drag queens, are all still happening, other smaller events during the week have been cut from the lineup.

The committee say it is down to a “lack of donations”.

“Due to a lack of donations Laois Pride has had to cancel some of the pride week events. We are running a reduced week of events but are really excited to welcome everyone to the ones we have.”

Two events in the Youth Work Ireland Laois centre are cancelled. Tuesday night was to feature a Board Gaymes night, a Laois Pride Drab to Fab upcycling event was to happen on Thursday and on Friday.

Lucas Cross is the Community Development Worker for Midlands LGBT+ Project, which supports the Laois Pride committee .

““Not all events taking place in the Youth Centre are affected, we are still collaborating with the local LGBTQ+ youth group, Queeries run by Youth Work Ireland Laois, in order to provide the annual Youth Pride Party. With the help of the Local Creative Youth Partnership, we're delighted to still be able to provide a safe and proud space to the future generation of LGBTQ+ folk,” he said.

“With the amount of work and effort involved, no matter how big or small of an event, it's always extremely disappointing to have to cancel. These are events that are created for the community to encourage more connection and reduce the isolation felt within the seams of the LGBTQ+ community, especially within rural areas.

“Due to the current changes in political climate internationally, the community is seeing rights and societal views roll back in real time and this can have a lasting ripple effect on LGBTQ+ folk across Ireland. Conversations around diversity, inclusion, and understanding are now more important than ever,” Lucas said.

Donations are not enough to cover costs of the cancelled events.

“This is a result of what the general public are all facing; the cost of living or in many cases surviving. Many local businesses that would have supported in the past, are not in the same position now.

“Thankfully we still see that support via efforts in visibility, with pride decor being displayed from businesses along Portlaoise's Main Street, which is part of Laois Pride's parade route. Unfortunately, that visibility isn't always enough to push for financial support,” Lucas said.

Laois Pride week begins on Monday, September 7 with a formal raising of the Pride Flag at Laois County Council plaza at midday.

On Wednesday, September 9, Laois Pride and the Dunamaise Arts Centre will present an evening of LGBT and Irish Cinema, with a screening of the Irish movie Girls and Boys. Tickets are €12.50 and all profits support Laois Pride.

Youth Work Ireland Laois will also host a youth pride event. Details available directly from the organisers.

This Saturday, September 12 is the main community event with a parade starting at noon from An Dún, the event space inside the town’s 16th century Fort Protector Portlaoise. The parade will travel along the Main Street.

It is immediately followed by a family fun day at An Dún from 1pm to 4pm, with activities, food, drinks and performances.

All are invited to finish off this year's Laois Pride Festival with a night of music, drag and celebration at the Laois Pride 2026 After Party. Dance the night away from 9pm til late at Kavanagh's Bar and Venue Portlaoise.

This year is again hosted by the wonderful Paul Ryder with an ensemble of queens, including Regina George, Dylatrix, Miss Roots and Miss Taken.

There’s also a Sing Along Social hosted by The Craic Mechanics, who create safe and gas spaces for friends and strangers to gather together to sing along to their favourite cheesy hits. DJ Ruth will be banging out the classics in-between performances.

Donations are welcome on https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/laoispride2026fundraiser

”We are very aware that not everyone is in the position to donate, but another way to show that support is by showing up for the community.

“We highly encourage people to come along to the Laois Pride Fun Day in Portlaoise on Saturday September 12th. The Parade will start at 12pm and will conclude in the An Dún event space behind Laois School of Music, where we will have local vendors, stalls, and entertainment to celebrate pride from 1-4pm,” Lucas said.

Laois Pride is held every September to mark the anniversary of the launch of the Midlands lgbt+ project.

Tickets for the Laois Pride After Party and other events are on Eventbrite.ie

For more details of events, email [email protected]